-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Alex Karras , the burly defensive lineman turned actor in the ABC sitcom `` Webster , '' died Wednesday surrounded by his family in their Los Angeles home following a hard-fought battle with kidney disease , heart disease , dementia and stomach cancer , according to a family spokesman .

He was 77 .

`` Alex was known to family and friends as a gentle , loving , generous man who loved gardening and preparing Greek and Italian feasts , '' his family said in a written statement .

The Gary , Indiana , native was an All-American at the University of Iowa who was thrust into professional football in 1958 with a first-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions , where he played until 1971 .

It was in Detroit where he helped the team 's defensive line become one of several through the years to bear the nickname `` Fearsome Foursome , '' earning a reputation for his formidable presence on and off the line .

But in 1963 , NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle suspended Karras and Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung for gambling on National Football League games , prompting the All-Pro tackle to try his hand at professional wrestling .

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The following year , after he returned to the gridiron , Karras reportedly refused to take part in a pregame coin toss .

`` I 'm sorry , sir , '' he quipped to the official . `` I 'm not permitted to gamble . ''

But Hollywood was calling . And according to his family , he `` had always dreamed of being an actor '' and got a boost when Lucille Ball `` took him under her wing and allowed him to train in small parts . ''

After various appearances on television shows , Karras landed breakout movie roles , including spots in `` Porky 's '' and `` Victor Victoria . '' He also played `` Mongo '' in the Mel Brooks 1974 satirical western `` Blazing Saddles , '' slugging a horse and uttering the memorable phrase , `` Mongo only pawn in game of life . ''

He later joined the long-running television show `` Webster , '' where he played George Papadapolis , the guardian of the newly orphaned Webster , played by actor Emmanuel Lewis .

Karras also co-wrote autobiographies called `` Even Big Guys Cry '' and `` Alex Karras by Alex Karras , '' and sat in the broadcast booth along with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford during `` Monday Night Football '' broadcasts .

`` While his legacy reached far beyond the gridiron , we always will fondly remember Alex as one of our own and also as one of the best to ever wear the Honolulu Blue and Silver , '' Lions President Tom Lewand said .

In April , Karras -- who had been battling dementia -- joined more than 3,000 other former NFL players who are suing the league for not better protecting them from head injuries .

The players , who say they suffer from a variety of debilitating and potentially life-threatening concussion-related injuries , got a high-profile boost when the former Lion joined their ranks .

His family said he also was a strong supporter of the environment .

`` His love of nature and most especially of the ocean , where he spent many happy days on his fishing boat , led him to support numerous organizations committed to protecting our environment for future generations , '' his family said . `` In lieu of flowers , please make a donation to one of the organizations Alex Karras ardently supported : Natural Resources Defense Council , Bioneers , Greenpeace Foundation or the Pesticide Action Network . ''

Memorial services are being planned and will be announced soon , his family said .

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CNN 's Sarah Hoye contributed to this report .

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Lions President Tom Lewand : We `` will fondly remember Alex as one of our own ''

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Karras sat in the broadcast booth along with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford

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He appeared in movies , including `` Blazing Saddles '' and `` Victor Victoria ''

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In April , Karras joined more than 3,000 other former players who are suing the NFL